Queen welcomes billionaire business leaders and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle

The Queen put on a stylish display as she welcomed billionaire business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a lavish reception following a Government investment summit on Tuesday.

Her Majesty, 95, who looked effortlessly chic in a matching turquoise co-ord with floral detail, completed her outfit with a pair of trusted patent black shoes, dangling pearl earrings and three-strand pearl necklace.

The monarch also sported the historic Cullinan V brooch which features a heart-shaped central stone – and is the same silver diamond brooch she wore in a photograph released to mark late Prince Philip’s 99th birthday in 2020. 

Among the guests invited to the Queen’s Berkshire home after the day-long conference in London was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who could be seen leaning forward to shake the monarch’s hand.    

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, who were also in attendance, were suited and booted as they met some of the leading figures in the castle’s green drawing room before mingling more widely.

The Queen, 95, put on a stylish display as she welcomed billionaire business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a lavish reception following a Government investment summit. Pictured, greeting Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates

The Duke of Cambridge with guests at a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle

The Duke of Cambridge with guests at a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle

US climate envoy John Kerry, Poppy Gustafsson, chief executive officer of cyber security firm Darktrace, and Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, were among those who met the senior royals.

The Queen, Charles and Prince William warmly welcomed the business leaders and members of the Government including Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who donned a cobalt blue ensemble, and International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to be introduced first, but he appeared after the Queen began welcoming her guests and took his place at the end of the line. 

The senior royals were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Prince Michael of Kent.  

John Kerry seemed delighted to meet the Queen tonight, as other guests, which included Bill Gates, right, awaited their turn

John Kerry seemed delighted to meet the Queen tonight, as other guests, which included Bill Gates, right, awaited their turn

Queen Elizabeth II greets Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) at a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle

Queen Elizabeth II greets Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) at a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle

The Monarch, who was wearing a turquoise co-ord suit, seemed in high spirits

The Queen looked in great spirits during the event as she spoke with the Prime Minister and another guest, pictured

The Monarch, who was wearing a turquoise co-ord suit, seemed in high spirits as she spoke with guests at the reception (pictured) 

Her Majesty, who looked effortlessly chic in a matching turquoise co-ord with floral detail, greeted guests alongside Boris Johnson

Her Majesty, who looked effortlessly chic in a matching turquoise co-ord with floral detail, greeted guests alongside Boris Johnson

Prince William, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II welcome guests including US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (C) and Microsoft founder-turned-philanthropist Bill Gates (R)

Prince William, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II welcome guests including US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (C) and Microsoft founder-turned-philanthropist Bill Gates (R)

A relaxed-looking Duke of Cambridge, who opted for a navy suit, crisp white shirt and red tie, could be seen with a drink in his hand as he chatted to guests in the sumptuous surroundings of the Castle’s St George’s Hall.

In a foreword for the Global Investment Summit’s official brochure, the Queen said she was ‘proud’ of how the UK is moving towards a sustainable future but ‘there is still much more to do’.

The head of state also urged nations to ‘rise to the challenge’ and avert the problems associated with climate change. 

Her Majesty described how tackling the pandemic had inspired scientific breakthroughs and how innovation in the UK often comes from ‘teamwork against adversity’ like the Second World War efforts of Alan Turing and colleagues in breaking the Nazi regime’s Enigma Code. 

The Prime Minister and the Queen exchanged a few words as she met the guests at the lavish reception, pictured

The Prime Minister and the Queen exchanged a few words as she met the guests at the lavish reception, pictured 

Her Majesty looked effortlessly stylish in a stunning turquoise co-ord suit which she paired with her trusted black patent pumps, pictured

Her Majesty looked effortlessly stylish in a stunning turquoise co-ord suit which she paired with her trusted black patent pumps, pictured 

The Queen donned three rows of pearls and matching earrings as well as a Diamond brooch for tonight's event

The Queen donned three rows of pearls and matching earrings as well as a Diamond brooch for tonight’s event 

Guests paid their respects to the Queen as she made her way along the line to welcome each and every one of them, pictured

Guests paid their respects to the Queen as she made her way along the line to welcome each and every one of them, pictured 

Bill Gates could be seen leaning forward as she gave Her Majesty a warm handshake, pictured

Bill Gates could be seen leaning forward as she gave Her Majesty a warm handshake, pictured

Father-of-three Bill Gates and other guests smiled as the Queen exchanged words with them

Father-of-three Bill Gates and other guests smiled as the Queen exchanged words with them

As guests mingled amongst themselves, the Queen could be seen grinning from ear-to-ear

As guests mingled amongst themselves, the Queen could be seen grinning from ear-to-ear 

She added: ‘The challenge of today, however, is not in breaking a code. It is in working together across the globe to avert the challenges of climate change. It is our shared responsibility, of those in government, business, and civil society, to rise to this challenge.

‘I am proud of how the United Kingdom is seeking to secure a sustainable future, yet there is still much more to do.

‘This summit is not just a showcase, but an opportunity to come together and, in the generous spirit of collaboration, forge new partnerships.’

The Queen and the Prime Minister arrived at the event together and proceeded to greet the guests

The Queen and the Prime Minister arrived at the event together and proceeded to greet the guests 

Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Boris Johnson greeted guests at a reception for the Global Investment Summit in Windsor Castle

Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Boris Johnson greeted guests at a reception for the Global Investment Summit in Windsor Castle

Prince Charles and Prince William joined Her Majesty in welcoming guests at the evening reception

Prince Charles and Prince William joined Her Majesty in welcoming guests at the evening reception

Boris Johnson and the Queen arrived at the reception together to greet guests at Windsor Castle, pictured

Boris Johnson and the Queen arrived at the reception together to greet guests at Windsor Castle, pictured 

The Queen seemed riveted by her conversation with the Prime Minister and another guest tonight

The Queen seemed riveted by her conversation with the Prime Minister and another guest tonight 

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, donning a blue number, curtsied respectfully when greeting the Queen

Truss seemed excited to meet the monarch at tonight's reception

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, donned a blue ensemble, and curtsied respectfully when greeting the Queen

Prince William looked sharp in a black blazer with a crisp white shirt and a dark red tie, pictured

Prince William looked sharp in a black blazer with a crisp white shirt and a dark red tie, pictured 

Bill Gates, whose daughter tied the knot last weekend, looked happy to meet the Queen

Bill Gates, whose daughter tied the knot last weekend, looked happy to meet the Queen 

The Queen looked the picture of elegance in her turquoise two-piece tonight, and seemed to delight guests with her conversation

The Queen looked the picture of elegance in her turquoise two-piece tonight, and seemed to delight guests with her conversation 

John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, bowed respectfully as he shook hands with the monarch, pictured

John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, bowed respectfully as he shook hands with the monarch, pictured

Her Majesty was more than happen to engage in conversation as she worked her way around the room

Her Majesty was more than happen to engage in conversation as she worked her way around the room 

John Kerry bowed respectfully to the Queen during their greeting

Bill Gates shook the Queen's hand warmly as he leaned over to bow

Some of the world’s most powerful men were welcomed to Windsor castle by the Queen – including John Kerry (left) and Bill Gates (right) 

Prince William, left, looked delighted as she shook hands with Bill Gates, pictured

Prince William, left, looked delighted as she shook hands with Bill Gates, pictured